Children have been enjoying exhilarating, inclusive play opportunities at a park in Margate, Kent, which was developed following an extensive consultation with the public.
We were challenged with replacing the playground at Northdown Park with equipment to cater for both toddlers and older children up to 12 years of age. Thanet District Council required the new playground to offer inclusive play and to feature a variety of items including a rocker, slide, swing and rotor, along with play equipment to encourage agility.
“We were looking for a play area that was robust but also offered very high play value,” explains Morgan Harris, Open Spaces & Play Areas Officer for Thanet District Council. “A lot of children who have disabilities use the park, so inclusive play was also very important to us.
“Thanet District Council held a consultation day for members of the public, attended by more than 200 people. There was stiff competition from other companies but Sutcliffe Play’s design offered the best layout and most exciting equipment.”
Sutcliffe Play’s design features equipment suitable for a wide range of ages and abilities, including a single point swing, a 20m cableway and a trampoline. There is a wide range of inclusive equipment such as an inclusive ladybird springie, an inclusive butterfly roundabout and an inclusive oyster roundabout – a dynamic piece of equipment which has a flat platform to aid access in and out of the dish.
There is also plenty of equipment designed to encourage high-energy, invigorating play, including a Mission Target unit. Designed for older juniors, Mission offers testing physical play opportunities focusing on climbing, traversing, and descending in unique ways. Compact in design, Mission Target incorporates exhilarating, curved banister rails, a spin pole and a challenging V-net climber.
“We’ve had lots and lots of positive feedback about the new play area: we’re always hearing that children love playing there, and they especially love the trampoline!” says Morgan. “And the interaction we’ve seen between children as they use the equipment is really excellent. We’re over the moon.”